Belinda Hickenlooper Wade
Belinda Hickenlooper was born 4 March 1832 in West Moreland, Pennsylvania. Her Father was William Haney Hickenlooper and her mother was Sarah Jane Hawkins. Her Father was born 22 September 1804 in the country of Wet Moreland, Pennsylvania. His father was Andrew Hickenlooper and his mother was Rachel Long.
Andrew Hickenlooper was among those persecuted for his religious beliefs in Wurtinberg, Germany. He came to America on the ship, Peggy, from Rotterdam, Holland, and took the pledge of allegiance to King George, 16 October 1774. He enlisted in the American Revolutionary War and was with General George Washington at Valley Forge. He married Rachel Long on 12 May 1784. William Haney was the youngest child of this union.
William Haney Hickenlooper married Sarah Jane Hawkins 29 August 1829. Sarah Jane Hawkins was born 3 June 1803, a daughter of Caleb and Sarah Griffith Hawkins. She was born in Maryland and later moved to Pennsylvania. Sarah Jane had 2 sisters--one married Thomas hickenlooper, a brother of William Haney, who stayed in the east and the other married William Critchelow and lived in Ogden, Utah.
Sarah Jane and William Haney lived in Armstrong Co., Pennsylvania. He had purchased a farm and worked in the salt mines. To this union was born three children--harriet Jane, John Thomas, and Belinda.
William Hickenlooper had joined the baptist church, as had his wife and family--Sarah Griffith Hawkins, Sarah Jane's mother, lived with them.
One day, some mormons were going down the Allegheny River in rafts to join to saints in Ohio. A storm came up and the rafts were forced to land. One raft with three Mormon families anchored for the night about two miles from the Hickenlooper farm. During the night, a storm came up and the saints were forced to stay a few days before resuming their journey. Elder Nickerson, who presided over the small band, began to preach the gospel to the people in the surrounding countryside.
Mr. Hickenlooper wanted his family to see a mormon and hear his message. He invited Mr. Nickerson, or Elder Nickerson as he was called, to come to his home. His wife and her mother were very upset. They did not want to have a wicked Mormon in their home. After they talked awhile, Mr. Hickenlooper excused himself to feed his stock. While he was gone, Mrs. Hickenlooper asked the guest to leave. Mr. Nickerson left but invited them to a meeting the next night. Mr. Hickenlooper and his wife went to the meeting. The Spirit of the Lord seemed to be at that meeting. They listened and seemed to understand the message. After a prayer, the widowed daughter of Elder Nickerson rose and spoke in tongues. Mrs. Hickenlooper was so impressed, she borrowed a Book of Mormon and read it secretly.
One day, Mrs. Hawkins was lying on a bed in severe pain in her side. It became so intense she could barely stand it. Elder Nickerson told her that if she has enough faith, her pain would be healed. The family was all in the room when she began repeating the 55th chapter of Isaiah. She also repeated some of the Book of Mormon, which she had never seen. When asked what she was doing, she said the Bible was placed before her and then the Book of Mormon. Elder Nickerson came and kneeled by her bed. He administered to her. All the pain left. This was as a miracle. The family was convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel, and the power of the priesthood. After a close examination of the scriptures, which revealed to be the only doctrine agreeing with them, they were anxious to be baptized and become Latter Day Saints. They were baptized in the Allegheny River in February 1839 by Elder Nickerson. William Haney, Sarah Hawkins Hickenlooper, and Sarah Griffith Hawking and five others were baptized at the same time.
They stayed in Pennsylvania for about five years before moving to Nauvoo. Elder Nickerson had ordained William Haney Hickenlooper an Elder and left him in charge of the branch, which had been organized there. The Hickenloopers arrived in Nauvoo in April 1844, in time to witness the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum Smith.
Belinda was twelve years of age at the time. She with her family mourned for their prophet and leader. They endured the hardships and violence and persecutions suffered at this time. She was privilege to meed and know many of the Leaders of the church. The Prophet, Sidney Rigdon, and Brigham Young were visitors in their humble home. She later learned to love and respect Brigham Young as the true prophet on this earth.
The Hickenloopers were among the first to cross the river and start west. Belinda and John Thomas, her brother, left their home and with their parents started the long trek across the plains. They came in Daniel Spencer's Hundred and walked all the way. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley September 22, 1847.
Their first home was in the Old Fort. When Brigham Young and many others returned to Winter Quarters to guide the body of the saints to Salt Lake, William Haney Hickenlooper was called to preside over the fort.
There was much for a young girl of fifteen to do. She was strong and willing. In the spring of 1848, her father built a log cabin one half block south of the old fort. Here the family lived till he built an adobe house at 446 south 2nd west.
Belinda Married Edward Davis Wade January 2, 1849.
Edward Davis Wade was born May 11, 1825. His father was Moses Wade and his mother was Sally Maria Bundy. The Wade family had joined the church and moved to Nauvoo. they were driven out of Nauvoo by the mob violence and crossed the river on a raft that Edward and his father, Moses had built.
His mother, Sally, was in poor health. She had never been very strong. The ice and snow, the scanty provisions, the hardships were very bad for her condition, but she never complained. She was with the saints and they were all going west for the love of the gospel.
It was in the spring of 1846 that a call came from the president of the United States for volunteers to join the Mormon Battalion. Edward was among the first to join. His father, Moses, had practiced medicine in New York and as Edward had never been too well, he and his wife felt Moses should join too and go and protect their only son.
Little did Edward know as he kissed his mother goodbye and marched away that he would never see her again. Sally Maria Bundy Wade could not survive the sufferings and hardships. Her daughter, Ninerva, cared for her but she died January 29, 1849 at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Edward and his father marched with the Mormon Battalion in Colonel Cooks Company. Moses Wade practiced medicine and helped many of the soldiers. They remained true to their country and to their religion. They were discharged July 16, 1847.
Edward was in California when gold was discovered and worked all winter at Sutters Mill. Just how much gold he brought to Utah is not known but Belinda's ring was made from the gold.
Just when Edward returned is not known or if he was acquainted with Belinda before he marched away. I have never been able to get this information. Their first child, Edward William was born October 28, 1849 in Salt Lake City.
On Belinda's and Edward's first anniversary, January 2, 1850, they received their endowments in the endowment house an on that same day, he married Mary Ellen Page, The families lived in Salt Lake City until 1853. Belinda gave birth to two more children--James Monroe:born February 15, 1852, and Charles Franklin: born December 8, 1853.
The family moved to North Ogden, Weber Co., Utah. His place in North Ogden was where the White Barn Golf Course is now. His homes were north and east of the barn. He built homes for both of his wives. He engaged in farming and stock raising. With the gold, he bought sheep, cattle, and pigs. He had large stacks of hay and grain. He raised a good garden and had orchards of peaches, apples, pears, and cherries.
He was active in civic affairs, helping to build roads, canals, a church and school. He was active in church always setting an example for his children. He liked the better things of life and his wives and families had nice clothes. He bought one of the first sewing machines for Belinda and other luxuries of the times.
Belinda was a hard worker and a faithful Latter Day Saint. She taught her children to work and to pray.
Edward Davis was called on a mission to China. I do not know the exact date. He put his house in order and went to San Francisco. While he was waiting for a ship, he received word from the LDS presidency that missionaries were not allowed to land or preach in China. He was given and honorable release and sent home.
Belinda was the mother of ten boys and one girl. Her husband, who had never been strong, died January 2, 1880, leaving Belinda to care for the family.
She believed in the gospel and took her children to church. She was always a good disciplinarian. I have heard some of her sons say, 'Mother never spoke but once, but if you did not obey her, she waited til you were in bed, Then after a prayer, she took her paddle and you got what was coming to you'.
I have heard my father say what a good cook she was and that he would rather go to Grandma Wade's than anywhere.
My grandfather was Edward William, Her oldest son. He married Julia Amanda Ellis and had four children. On February 14, 1880, at the age of twenty three, she died, leaving her husband with four small children. Belinda took the baby, who was just a few days old, Effie Geneva, and raised her.
She worked and lived to see her children married but a great catastrophe came. It was in 1888 that an epidemic of typhoid came. Her only daughter, Sarah Jane Quinlin, died October 2, 1888, and her granddaughter, Nina Quinlin, the next day. Moses Wade-February 1889, Joseph-March 1889, John Alonza-October 1888, Andrew-March 1889.
There were others in the family who were very ill with the disease but were nursed back to health. Belinda endured all these things. The deaths of her beloved sons and only daughter but she bore this tragedy bravely and carried on.
She lived her religion and trusted the Lord in all things. She was a wonderful mother, a beloved, wife, and a true Latter Day Saint.
She died in her home with her loved ones around her, November 22, 1894, at the age of 62. She is buried in the North Ogden Cemetery beside her beloved husband.
Her sons were true to her teachings and have taught their children to believe in the truths she worked and gave her life for.
CHILDREN OF BELINDA HICKENLOOPER AND EDWARD DAVIS WADE
Edward William Wade: Married Julia A. Ellis, Susana J. Ferrin and Cora Rushton.
Andrew Wade: Married Lillie Rose
James Monroe Wade: Married Isabel Crandall
Clarence Bertram Wade: Married Marian Driscol
John Alonzo Wade: Married Olive Ferrin
Moses Wade: Married Sarah Jane Lister
Sarah Jane Wade: Married Dennin Quinlin
Joseph Davis Wade: Married Maude Frodsham
George Wade: Married Mary Ann Barnet and Nettie Meacham